Illinois lawmakers face a deadline this week to approve a bill that will prevent severe cuts to this year’s horse racing schedule.

The problem is lawmakers are only scheduled to be in session one day, Wednesday, and that is primarily to hear Gov. Pat Quinn deliver his state of the state speech.

“My hope is we will call it for a vote on Wednesday,” said Rep. Robert Rita, D-Blue Island, sponsor of the advance deposit wagering bill in the House. “I haven’t heard either way here. We were prepared to do it (in December) when we were down there last time, but it just didn’t get called.”

The bill provides for continuation of advance deposit wagering beyond Jan. 31. Advance deposit wagering is a form on online betting on horses.

Horse racing interests have agreed on a plan that calls for a surcharge on all wagers made in the state and allows for additional off-track betting parlors. It would provide sufficient money to the Illinois Racing Board so that a full schedule of horse races could be run this year.

Without the extra revenue, the Racing Board says it cannot afford the manpower needed to monitor a full slate of racing. The board supplies stewards and veterinarians at tracks to ensure the safety of participants and that the races are fair.

The Racing Board is scheduled to meet Friday to approve racing dates for this upcoming season. It has developed four different racing schedules based on various actions lawmakers could take. The worst-case scenario is that nothing happens, which would result in an 81 percent reduction in racing dates.

The Illinois Harness Horseman’s Association last week issued a statement warning that no action by lawmakers could result in 95 percent fewer harness racing dates this year, from 251 days to 13.

“Such dramatic cuts will effectively kill Illinois horse racing and the thousands of jobs it creates,” the association said, noting that 15,000 jobs are tied to the horse racing industry.

Senate Bill 66 must not only be approved by the House, but must return to the Senate for final approval. While Rita wants to call the bill for a vote, he acknowledged attendance of lawmakers could be an issue, with only a one-day session planned and weather a possible issue.

“There’s some variables here,” Rita said.

A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said the issue remains under review, but a that there will be time to address the bill on Wednesday if a decision is made to proceed.